Bedstead-fastening



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLIVER ROBINSON, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

BEDSTEAD-FASTENING.

Speccation of Letters Patent No. 22,456, dated December 28, 1858.

T o all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER ROBINSON, of the cit-y of Rochester', county of Monroe, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Lock or Fastening for Connecting the Rails and Posts of Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description of the construction and operation thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure l is a view in elevation showing the application of the lock to the rail and post of a cottage bedstead, the latter being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a reversed detached view of the lock in elevation. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the parts of the same separately shown.

Similar letters refer to like parts in each of the figures.

This lock consists of two parts, the hooked i bolt A, and circular wrench B. A hole of the diameter of the circular part of the wrench and of a suitable depth to receive it, is bored into the rail. C, Fig. l, and another longitudinally of the rail, a block INI,

being glued on to give the requisite thickness, and at right angles with the first until they meet, receives the bolt A. A mortise, (l, is made in the post E, through which the pin f is driven. The bolt A, is scored away on one side leavingthe projection g Figs. 2 and 3, near the end. The two parts being inserted in their respective holes or mortises in the rail, the handle, It, of the wrench is turned forward unt-il the projection, g, enters between the wedge-point d and lip, c. By turning the handle back to the position shown in Fig. 2, and in dotted lines in Fig. l, the projection', g, of the bolt is clutched by the lip 7c between it and the point Iz' and forced forward and held in a suitable position as it enters the mortise of the post to insure the hook connecting with the pin f, thereby locking the rail firmly to the post. By turning the handle of the wrench downward to a horizontal position the part z', acting' as a circular wedge on the projection g, draws the bolt backward until it clutches the pin with great force, and forms a tight joint between the post and rail. A guide pin, m, enters a slot in the post, and pre- The joint vents the rail turning therein.

can always be tightened with the greatest ease by turning the lever handle a little farther should it ever become open through shrinkage of the wood or other cause, and the bedstead can be taken apart with equal facility, by simply turning it in the oppo` site direction.

Then the fastenings are once inserted in their proper places in the rail it is never necessary to remove them; therefore there is no danger of their being lost. A pin should be inserted in the rail at o to prevent the wrench being turned sufficiently to release the bolt, or a block may be glued on in its place, as less liable to catch the clothing.

The wrench is kept within the mortise in which it turns by the flat end of the bolt lying over it, and the bolt itself, being passed through a hole in the block or raised part of the rail, (shown removed at M Fig. 1,) is not removable unless released from the wrench, which also prevents its turning. Its advantages are, its simplicity and cheapness, being composed of two parts only, requiring no tting or attaching to the wood by screws or otherwise, and the holes for its reception, including the post-mortise, can all be bored with common angers. It holds the parts securely, and they can be tightened or separated at pleasure. It renders the bedstead very easy to put together, as 'the wrench when turned forward moves the bolt forward by means of the lip e and holds it in its place for connecting readily with the pin in the post, whereas similar fastenings require to be adjusted by the hand. It is not in the way for packing and shipping, and is always in readiness for use.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination andarrangement of the hooked locking bolt A, with the circular wrench and eccentric B, constructed as described, for holding the bolt by means of the lip fz', in the proper position for entering the post and tightening the connection made with the pin f, or its equivalent, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

OLIVER ROBINSON.

Vitnesses J. FRASER,

S. J. ALLIs. 

